Hi there! As an experienced music producer, mixing engineer, and guitarist, my goal is to help artists create their best work. I specialize in producing standout songs and soundtracks that grab listeners' attention and excel on radio, playlists, and sync placements. Let me take your musical ideas to the next level and bring your vision to life.
As a skilled music producer of songs and soundtracks, I have over 15 years of experience arranging, structuring, and producing music for artists, brands, and creators. My focus is on delivering a competitive mix and master that stands the test of time and resonates with listeners.
As an Executive Producer & Music Supervisor, I have produced hundreds of scores and syncs for award-winning brand campaigns in the worlds of Advertising, Digital, Film, and TV. I have also been a session guitarist for more than 25 years, and can offer professional recorded sounds that perfectly complement your music, whether you need warm acoustic sounds, edgy electric sounds, subtle fingerpicking, or a soaring rock solo.
I'm a graduate of Abbey Road Institute Amsterdam, holding an Advanced Diploma in Music Production & Sound Engineering. I'm currently with Never Square Music as a music producer and founder, working with a diverse clientele including artists, advertising agencies, brands, and production companies. Previously, I worked with Antfood, Amp.Amsterdam, MassiveMusic, Sizzer Amsterdam, and bands like Dialoque, Lemonseven, and Mitchell.
Let's collaborate to make great work! Reach out to me with your project and let's create something special.
Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.
Credits
- Falko Nelson
- Dialoque
- Klaskie
- Gabriel Self
- Mitchell
- Massive Inc
- Disco Accidents
- MassiveMusic
- Antfood
- AMP Amsterdam
- Nike
- Heineken
- HEMA
- Volkswagen
- Basic Fit
- KPN
- Sizzer Amsterdam
- Lemonseven
- The Smoking Barrels
- Abbey Road Institute
- Lamsi
- Mathilde Bloom
- Raffie
- Jimmy Moon
- Mark Peace
- Madi
- ZDF Heute
- samsung
- Centraal Beheer
- Panasonic
- Ferro+Chrome
- Kraut
- Nicolas Kanza
- Perneau
- Steven Craenmehr
- #soloaday
- Adidas
- Dursun
- Jerry Bloem
- Bloomfalk
- Silver Lake
- Faela
2 Reviews
Endorse Steve Johnsen
Steve is a multitalented music soul. If you need a producer, a mixing engineer, guitarist, he's the one to go!
He's new to soundbetter, but not to music industry and art.
Smart and kindhearted. Somebody you should definetly work with!
Steve really helped get my track where it needed to be, added great production ideas and did an awesome mix. Will be working with him again!
Interview with Steve Johnsen
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: We search for ideas, we get creative and the end of the day we have something audible which wasn't there before, at all. That's just magic. And working with people, sharing ideas and create together.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My TASCAM 424 tape machine, my Martin LXM travel guitar, a sturdy SM57, a cable and an empty cassette. Travel light. And then hopefully find a glass bottle to send the tape into the world.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Apple Macintosh, Universal Audio Apollo interface, ProTools Ultimate, Logic Pro X, Ableton Live 11, most industry standard plugins, old and new synthesizers, various mics, drum machines (Roland, Casio), many guitars; acoustic and electric (Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, Martin, Washburn) and a TASCAM analog tape machine. In other studios I often visit to work I have access to Neve VR and SSL 4000G consoles and all the classic outboard gear you can dream of.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: It's always good to know each other, so I'd like to discover things like: What is the goal of the project? Where you do want to grow as an artist? Who are the people who listen to your music, can you describe them? What challenges are you facing and why? What are your expectations when working with me? What does success look like / when is the project a succes for you?
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Rick Rubin, Jack Antonoff, Shawn Everett, Tchad Blake, Greg Wells, Andrew Scheps and the great Al Schmitt. Desmond Child, Beck, Prince, John Mayer, Neil Young, Adam Granduciel (The War On Drugs), Eddie van Halen, Freddy Mercury, David Bowie, ABBA, The Beatles, Paul McCartney, The Police, to name a few.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Music production, mixing, songwriting, artistic and creative development, guitar recordings, executive music production for brand media, hand holding.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Hybrid! I like working in the box, but I just love working with analog gear. I like the best of both worlds.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: We help artists, brands & creators gain a competitive advantage in the sonic world.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: From being a young guitarist in different bands, to more professional session work later, and from marketing studies to an internship at a music production house specialized in bespoke music for brands, to executive music and sound productions at creative music studios working on global brand campaigns, to a study at Abbey Road Institute in Amsterdam, to starting my own music production house Never Square Music and label Never Square Music, where I help develop artists to be the best versions of themselves and support them in making their best work. 25+ years and counting!
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Listen to your mix in mono.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, rock, folk, americana, funk, soul, and soundtracks (bespoke music or re-recordings for commercials and brand media)
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Digging deeper, until the song reveals in its best possible form.
I was the Producer, Mixing Engineer and Guitarist in this production
- ProducerContact for pricing
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $350 per song
- Electric GuitarAverage price - $250 per song
- Acoustic GuitarAverage price - $250 per song
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $80 per song
- Songwriter - MusicContact for pricing
- Full instrumental productionContact for pricing
Average: Mixes 1-5 business days. Guitar Session 1-5 business days, Revisions 1-2 business days, Full productions might take up to 1-2 weeks. Up to 2 revisions included and the final delivery.
- John Mayer
- The War On Drugs
- Harry Styles
- Fender
- Gibson
- Martin
- Washburn
- Korg
- SE Electronics
- Audio Technica
- Sennheiser
- Genelec
- Roland
- FabFilter
- Waves
- Universal Audio
- iZotope
- Tascam
- analog tape
- Casio VL
- ProTools
- Logic Pro X
- Ableton Live
- all the industry standard plugins
Very flexible pricing options.
- NEW WORK – Basic Fit 2022 campaignJan 26, 2022
I'm proud to have produced and mixed the music & audio-post production for the newest Basic Fit ‘Make Fitness A Basic’ campaign. The campaign is now live in 5 countries across Europe. Shout out to Gabriel Self (also on SoundBetter) for the great collaboration on the original soundtrack. Here in Holland the gyms have finally open again, so check it out, and Go For It!
